Scarecrow

Stone Quarry is only place I have fished from bank.

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm thinking I'll just hit the two bays you guys mentioned. I have a 16' V bottom with a 20 horse and will probably put in at the quarry, Unless there are closer ramps?? I guess the canal is pretty shallow in some areas. Do you guys recommend any fishing shops in DC for advice. We used to go to Mac's for everything, but that place is long gone.

Although I'm a Missouri guy who normally hits the bass lakes down here, my family has a cabin on Lake Michigan in DC just south of Jacksonport. I'm usually up there a couple of times a year and mainly go for the salmon in the lake. I'd like to try my luck at LMB or SMB sometime while I'm up there. I have fished Clark lake with no luck as lake seems real shallow. I was thinking of trying the Sturgeon Bay canal or throwing a kayak on the Mink river. Anyway, if any of you guys have some tips, of course without giving up your honey holes, I'd appreciate it. Planning on heading up in early July. Thanks.

Not a great night at the Mill last night. Got delayed at work, so was 6:45 by the time we got to the lake, then problems with the trolling motor that took 20 minutes to fix. After this we managed to catch 1 barely legal keeper and 5 or 6 shorts. Nothing on crankbaits, couple on the liz and a couple on top water at the end.

Regarding Mozingo... yep it's 8.00 per day. We got there at 5:45 am two weeks ago and the man was in his house collecting the ramp fee as you pulled into the park. Still a sticker that you put on your boat. We put in at the main ramp (south end of the lake). My luck is the opposite of Bluebasser. We fished plastics in skinny water till 10 am and caught 9-10 shorts. After that we started throwing 1.5 squarebills the rest of the day till 4:30 pm. Hitting points we ended the day with 70 fish, with about 8-9 keepers. I think we had 4 over 3lbs with the biggest at 3.12. We were offshore making long cast to the edge of the grass. I'll be up there again this Sat. Smithville was slow again last night. Just a couple of shorts on shakey head. Can't figure that place out! Planning on hitting the Mill tonight, hopefully goes well!

How was the Mill? I've been meaning to get over there, but haven't yet. Last couple of weeks, I've been hitting Smithville quite a bit with the usual "not much" success. That lake looks so fishy, but I just can't seem to catch many fish at that place. I can never establish a pattern at Smithville. Most of my fish are on plastics with hardly any fish on reaction baits. It's a bummer because I'm practically 10 minutes from the ramp. Also went up to Mozingo two weeks back and caught a ton of fish, mostly 13"-14' fish with 8 or 9 nice keepers. Fish are usually right on the edge of the grass at Mozingo.

Anyone been up to Mozingo yet? Probably going to head up on Sunday.

Going to be on the gravois arm this weekend. I'm planning on using jerk baits and may be some finesse jigs. With the rain this week, I'll be looking for some clear water. My personal opinion is this time of year at LOZ is the Jerk Bait bite. I usually stay with the Jerk Bait and keep moving until I find fish.

My favorite LOZ lures and colors are Jig N Pigs (green pumpkin flake), wiggle wart (phantom green crayfish), and baby brush hogs (watermelon red flake). I definately go with the craw colors. I'll be fishing the gravois arm the last weekend in Sept.

I love the action of the SM, but have yet to have sucess with it. I have been fishing TRig with non pegged bullet and nothing. I will then throw on a Baby Brush Hog and start catching fish. I haven't given up on it and I am fishing both plastics the same.....I just can't get any tap taps.

You might want to check out Terre Du Lac in Bonne Terre, MO. It's about an hour south of South County. Our family has a house on one of the smaller lakes. I think there are 16 lakes in the community with the biggest a little over 100 acres. terredulac.com

Go with the 10'. The 8' is crowded with 2 people. I was at Dick's the other day and noticed the 10' Bass Raider on sale for $499. It's what I use on our small lake. It is very stable on the water and has room for 2 adults and gear. It does fit in my truck bed and in my mini van, but sticks out on the back end. I made a little trailer out of 2x4's and dolly wheels to use by hand or to hook up to my lawn tractor. Good luck.

I was in the same situation last year and purchased the Bass Raider (lower model of the Rhino). I have used it with my 8 year old as well as buddies with great success. I mainly use it on my subdivision lake (about 10 acres) here in Platte City. It is very stable even with 2 adults. Obviously you couldn't use either boat on LOZ, but for small lakes the Raider does well. I will say...you are kind of limited on space so whatever boat you decide on you should go with nothing shorter than 10'. If your in Platte City and want to check out my set up, let me know. Dave